Darius Says…

On Super Bowl weekend, it’s only fitting we talk a little NFL.  Yes, a  hoopster like me still keeps an eye on the NFL!   I heard recently that the Colts and Saints have entered negotiations with Manning and Brees to tear up their old contracts, and to ink more lucrative deals for the franchise QBs.  Im not sure about Manning, but Brees is under contract to play several more years under his current deal.  But the Saints wanted to make sure Brees’ play didn’t go under-appreciated.  The Saits pointed out that Brees is the 17th highest paid QB in the NFL, but playing like a top QB. 

My initial thought on this was good!  A Franchise ought to take care of its franchise player when the player is clearly outperforming his contract. Then I thought a little and wondered why some franchises handle these matters seemlessly,  while others botch matters up allowing their star to continue to outperform his contract, while becoming disruntled in doing so.  Some franchises even go the exra mile by denegrating their star publicly in the media constantly letting everyone know the star is expendable

Enter the Arizona Cardinals.  They’ve been unwilling to re-negotiate their deal with Anquan Bolden for several years.  It didn’t matter to Cards that Bolden outperformed his contract.  Nor did it matter to the Cards that Bolden is the heart and soul and the team.  Niether did it matter that Bolden has been the most productive WR in the NFL over the last 7 or 8 years. Rather than taking Bolden the way of Brees and Manning, the Cardinals have chosen to castigate him allowing him to become disgruntled.  Now the media has jumped on to cast Bolden as a malcontent whom the Cards could do without. 

Now turn back to the NBA.  The Suns have clearly taken a page out the Cards’ playbook.  The Suns are on a campaign to run Amare’ Stoudimire out of town .  And yes, the’ve clearly enlisted the help of  the media to do so.  Lately I’ve even heard fans say … “I can’t wait to seem him (Amare’) out of here.”  But wait a minute! Did these people forget that Amare’ is a proven scoring machine, a solid rebounder at 8 per game for his career, amongst the highest field goal percentage shooters, and can get to the free throw line at will?  So what’s not to like about Amare’ … his defense?  Get real.  As long as Steve Nash is playing for the Suns, don’t talk to me about defense. 

So why are the Suns so critcal of their All-Star?  It’s about the money.  The Suns don’t want to pay Amare’ the 17 million he’s due next year. So they say he’s not worth it and they point out all the supposed flaws in his game.  When the general public hears this, they immediately concur without second thought.  Then Amare’ becomes the reason the Suns can’t get over the hump.  Then all the public pontification starts about what’s missing in Amare’s game, etc.  

But I’ve got news for Suns fans…there’s something missing in the games of all but 2 or 3 of the top NBA stars.  Amare’s no different.  But with respect to fair compensation, the issue is not what’s missing in Amare’s game.  The issue is what other players are being paid by this franchise and around the league.  For instance, the Suns paid Shaquille O’neal 20 million last year. They are paying Jason Richardson 12 million this year.  Based on these figures, you still think Armare’ isn’t worth 17 million?  Plus Amare’ has been nothing short of a warrior for this franchise coming back from 2 career threatening injuries, all-the-while maintaining his All-Star level of play.  I wish the Suns would stop castrating the guy’s game , and start looking at the market they’ve helped to create.  

No team can afford to get rid of its best player and remain viable (ask Don Nelson).  Plus, All-Star caliber “bigs” are just not that easy to come by.  And when it comes to Amare’, you can’t find 10 better players in the league.  So Suns, how about making your star feel appreciated. Give the man what the market bears. 

 Or in the alternative, ship Amare’ to Cleveland, Atlanta, Boston, Denver, San Antonio, or Portland.  I know what you are thinking, HELL NO!  Not to a western conference foe.  But hey…if you truly feel he’s not that good a player, what difference would it make?     

1.  Lebron James, Cle.

2.  Dwayne Wade, Mia.

3.  Amare’ Stoudimire, Phx.

4.  Dwight Howard, Orl.

5.  Rudy Gay, Memph.

6.  Shannon Brown, LAL

7. Derrick Rose, Chi.

8.  Andre Iguadala, Phila.

9.  Kobe Bryant, LAL

10.  Terrence Williams, N.J.

Here are NBA’s 10 fastest players.

1.  Lebron James

2.  Leandro Barbosa

3.  Tony Parker

4.  Devin Harris

5.  T. J. Ford

6.  Rajon Rhondo

7.  Chris Paul

8.  Derek Rose

9.  Monte Ellis

10.  Aaron Brooks

1.  Ron Artest - Lakers

2.  Trevor Ariza - Rockets

3.  Vince Carter - Magic

4.  Andre Miller - Blazers

5.  Channing Frye - Suns

6.  Rasheed Wallace - Celtics

7.  Shaquille O’neal - Cavs

Word on the street has it that Don Nelson is at it again.   You know Don.  The genius who set Dallas back a decade when he traded away Jamal Mashburn, Jason Kidd, and Jim Jackson while in their primes in the mid 90s.  You know, the mastermind who during his first stint with the Warriors in the early 90s, drafted Chris Webber with the #1 pick and traded the rookie of the year after his first season.   You know, the one who broke up Run TMC by running Tim Hardaway out of town and to Miami prematurely, where Hardaway recently had his jersey retired.  You know, the same wizard who during his second stint with the Warriors traded Baron Davis after making a rare appearance in the western conference semis. 

Well, Donny’s at it again.  This time, Stephen Jackson is his target.  With Jackson coming off a career year, you’d figure Nelly would be in Jackson’s corner.  No chance.  One thing is clear however…Golden State’s loss will be another team’s gain. 

For a number of teams, Jackson could represent that final piece to the championship puzzle.  The Cavs, Spurs, Bulls, Hawks, Heat, Suns, Blazers, and Rockets should all be interested.  Jackson brings instant toughness to any roster.  He adds plenty of scoring punch as well.  Just what a hand full of teams need to get over the hump.

So which GM will step up to the plate?  Steve Kerr are you out there?

Some say players win championships.  Others say it’s the coaches and front office brass who deserve the credit for putting the championship pieces together.  I’d venture to guess it’s a little of both.  But who gets the credit when a perinial championship contender, suddenly becomes a non-factor in the chase for the ring?  In the case of the Phoenix Suns, the blame can be placed squarely on the shoulders of ownership, and front office decision makers. 

Most observers will point to the Marion for Shaq trade as the culprit.  But in all reality, the Suns made a string of fatal decisions starting 2 years earlier when they botched up the re-signing of then soon-to-be All Star Joe Johnson.  In the midst, the Suns also thought it a bright idea to draft and then give Rajon Rondo away to the Celtics for nothing.  And oh yea …there was the Marion trade for Shaq.   There you have it.  A string of bad decisions that brought a once mighty contender to the ground. 

Can you imagine rolling a starting line-up onto the floor featuring Rondo and Joe Johnson in the backcourt, Marion and Stoudimire in the front court, and whatever big stiff the Suns could have gotten in a trade for Steve Nash at center.   Pao Gasol anyone?   We certainly know now that Gasol was available.  It’s also safe to say if the Grizzlies gave Gasol to the Lakers for nothing, then the Suns could have successfully pried Gasol away by dangling the 2 time MVP as trade bait. 

But the Suns have grown far too sentimental to become champions.  With the competition in the league getting stiffer by the day, the Suns chose to invest yet more money into a declining Steve Nash.   Sometimes an organization has to have the stones to trade its most popular player to stay relevant.  The Lakers dumped Shaq — remember? And the Suns should have traded Steve Nash several years ago when the hype was at its height.

The Suns chose not to.  Instead, they chose to get rid of everyone else.  Now front office brass is threatening to trade Amare Stoudimire.  Yet another bad decision in the works.

1.  Blake Griffin, PF

2.  James Hardin, SG

3.  Johnny Flynn, PG

4.  Tyreke Evans, SG

5.  Ty Lawson, PG

6.  DeMar DeRozan, F

7.  Stephen Curry, G

8.  Brandon Jennings, PG

9.  Tyler Hansbrough, F

10.  DeJuan Blair, PF

Hello Basketball World!   

It’s that time of year again.  It’s been a busy off-season with a number of big name players changing zip codes.  The Lakers’ Cavs’, Celtics’, Magic’s and Spurs’ respective acquisitions of Artest, Shaq, Rasheed, Vince, and RJ have made headlines from coast to coast.  Justifiably so.  

However, to start the season, its the pacific northwest that’s got my attention.  I can’t wait to see what 16 pts,  8 assists, 5 rebounds, and 2 steals per game will do for Brandon Roy and the Portland Trailblazers.  We’re about to find out in the form of Andre Miller.  

Similar to the value the Cavs found in acquiring Mo Williams last off-season, the Blazers have added a real soldier to their roster.  Miller is just what the doctor ordered for the Blazers.  Unlike manny of the other big names on the move this off-season,  Miller is in his prime.  Aside from being an unselfish leader,  he’s gritty at both ends of the floor and he has a knack for going to the boards.  Miller can create his own shot off the dribble, or orchestrate from the post. Not a shooter, but definitely a scorer when he wants to be.  In the right system, he could flirt with a tripple double on many a night.  

But most valuable on most nights will not be Miller’s scoring.  It will be his ability to control tempo — something this team showed the inability to do last year in the playoffs.  Look for Miller’s play to do wonders for the productivity of the Blazers’ young bigs - especially Oden.  As for the rotation, Blake can go back to the bench where he can be most effective giving leadership to a Bayless and Fernandez led young second unit.  A unit which all too often last year, seemed to play without poise. 

Miller’s game has flown largly under the radar his entire career because  he doesn’t jack up 3-pointers, doesn’t dunk, and he’s not a showman.  Just what the doctor ordered.     

1.  Dwight Howard

2.  Pao Gasol

3.  Brook Lopez

4.  Al Jefferson

5.  Marcus Camby

Big time players make big time plays in clutch situations.  Who’s got the most “clutchsticity”?

1.  Kobe Bryant

2.  Paul Pierce

3.  Dwanyne Wade

4.  Lebron James

5.  Brandon Roy

6.  Tim Duncan

7.  Chris Paul

8.  Chauncy Billups

9.  Manu Ginobli

10.  James Posey